Qin Shu met Xuan Yuan Che’s burning gaze, smiled gracefully, and nodded, saying, “Yes, Your Majesty, I believe what you say.”
Then, she asked again, “This incense is mysterious, and when paired with the specially prepared ‘catalyst,’ it can be said to be flawless. However, while one’s own perception can be deceived, making it impossible to detect any flaws, what exists exists, and what doesn’t doesn’t. The physicians who enter the Imperial Hospital may not all be miracle doctors, but they are undoubtedly highly skilled in medicine. The consorts in the Imperial Harem often interact with the physicians from the Imperial Hospital, and each physician has their own allegiances. Can they all keep their mouths shut?”
“The physicians in the Imperial Hospital may have their own patrons in the palace, but their true master has always been and will always be one person: the Emperor of the Celestial Sun Nation. This is engraved in their minds from the moment they enter the Imperial Hospital,” Xuan Yuan Che explained to Qin Shu calmly. “When it comes to critical matters, they all speak with one tongue because they are well aware that if anything goes wrong, everyone will pay with their lives.”
Upon hearing this, Qin Shu immediately understood. Well, she had learned another astonishing secret. Xuan Yuan Che was truly open with her, providing detailed answers to whatever she asked.
Noticing Qin Shu’s silence, Xuan Yuan Che continued, “By the way, speaking of the Imperial Hospital, I heard that the Empress specifically assigned Doctor Liu from the Imperial Hospital to help you regulate your health?”
Qin Shu hummed in acknowledgment, thought for a moment, and said, “Your Majesty, since you can personally concoct such a marvelous incense, it’s clear that your mastery of medicine and pharmacology is profound. My physical condition certainly cannot escape your notice. I employed some tricks to deceive outsiders, including Doctor Liu’s diagnosis. So, when Doctor Liu comes to regulate my health, it’s merely a formality for me. As for this matter…”
Before she could finish, Xuan Yuan Che interjected, “It’s fine. I’ve said before that we can discuss your matters when you truly feel ready to share them with me. I am open with you because the one in my heart is you. As for you, you’ve only just agreed to start trying to accept me, so there’s no need to rush. We can take it slow.”
He added, “I am very happy that you are telling me about this now. Does it mean you’ve accepted me a little more?”
Hearing Xuan Yuan Che’s explanation, Qin Shu thought to herself, “This guy is quite skilled at ‘romance.'”
The two gazed at each other in silence for a moment.
Then, Xuan Yuan Che spoke again, “Alright, let’s not dwell on this. There’s another matter to discuss.”
“Another matter?” Qin Shu was momentarily puzzled. Was there something else she and Xuan Yuan Che needed to address at the Sacred Sun Palace?
“Yes,” Xuan Yuan Che said. “You promised me that when we are alone, you would drop the formal address—no longer calling me ‘Your Majesty’ or referring to yourself as ‘your servant.'”
Qin Shu had been wondering what she might have overlooked, never expecting it to be this. “Alright, your servant… I remember.”
Xuan Yuan Che pondered thoughtfully and said to Qin Shu with a serious expression, “Using ‘you’ and ‘I’ still feels a bit stiff. How about we change it further?”
Seeing how seriously Xuan Yuan Che was taking this, Qin Shu replied, “How would Your Majesty like to change it?”
After careful consideration, Xuan Yuan Che said, “May I call you ‘Shu’er’?”
“…” Qin Shu’s ears echoed with Xuan Yuan Che’s voice. The address ‘Shu’er’—this was the first time she had heard someone other than her parents call her that. Gathering her thoughts, she responded, “Mm. Then, how should I address you?”
“Shu’er is my wife. From my personal perspective, I naturally wish for Shu’er to call me ‘husband’.” Xuan Yuan Che didn’t hesitate in the slightest. “Actually, if it’s not possible, it’s fine. There’s no need to address me that way right away…”
Qin Shu didn’t dwell on this matter and blurted out the words “husband.” She had entered the palace and become Xuan Yuan Che’s consort. From a practical standpoint, Xuan Yuan Che was indeed her husband. Setting aside his identity as emperor and disregarding palace rules and etiquette, it wasn’t inappropriate to address him this way in private when there were no outsiders.
A look of surprise flashed in Xuan Yuan Che’s eyes, followed by boundless joy. Just moments ago, he had thought she would refuse, never expecting this unexpected delight.
He stepped forward, reached out, and took Qin Shu’s hand, enveloping it tightly in his palm. “Shu’er, could you… call me that once more?”
Qin Shu was enveloped in Xuan Yuan Che’s tender, affectionate gaze, feeling the warmth radiating from his palm through her hand. Originally, changing how they addressed each other seemed like a perfectly normal matter, but now the atmosphere between them was thick with ambiguity—what was going on? Yet she didn’t deliberately avoid it and, following Xuan Yuan Che’s request, called him “husband” again.
She noticed the smile on Xuan Yuan Che’s face grow even brighter than before, and the hand he held in his palm felt his grip tighten by another three degrees. She coughed lightly twice and said, “Husband, your hand… you’re holding too tightly.”
Xuan Yuan Che snapped back to reality and hurriedly loosened his tight grip. “My fault. I didn’t control my strength properly.”
“It’s fine.” Qin Shu shook her head, withdrawing her hand as she spoke. Then she continued, “Regarding the secrets within the Sacred Sun Palace, husband, you’ve shown them to me. It’s getting late—you have the morning court session tomorrow and need to rest early. I should also return to Yuehua Palace.”
“It’s still early, no hurry. Now that we’ve seen this place, let me take Shu’er to see another spot.” Xuan Yuan Che took Qin Shu’s hand again and led her in another direction.
Before Qin Shu could say more, she was already being led away by Xuan Yuan Che. Suddenly, she felt that his action of holding her hand was almost too smooth and natural.
She simply let Xuan Yuan Che lead her, following along.
After walking for a while, Qin Shu glanced around. Clearly, this inner chamber was where Xuan Yuan Che’s actual bedchamber was located.
The furnishings and decorations throughout this hall were all of the highest imperial quality, exuding royal nobility while still maintaining a unique elegance.
Especially the wisp of sandalwood incense lingering in the air—fresh and refined, it put one at ease, adding a wonderful touch to the hall.
Although it had the same soothing effect as the ‘Union Bliss Incense’ burned in the other hall, the former’s effect was meant to pave the way for desire, while here it truly brought peace and tranquility to the heart.
Xuan Yuan Che: “What does Shu’er think of this place?”
Qin Shu: “It’s naturally excellent.”
Xuan Yuan Che gave Qin Shu’s hand a slight tug, pulling her right in front of him. He looked down, gazing intently at her. “Do you like it?”
Qin Shu was puzzled but still responded in agreement, “Mm, I quite like it.”
Suddenly, her waist was embraced, and her entire body pressed completely against Xuan Yuan Che’s chest. His heartbeat and breathing grew utterly chaotic from this movement. As they were pressed so closely together, his warm breath clearly cascaded over her face.
Just as she was puzzling over the reason for this action, Xuan Yuan Che’s voice washed over her.
Xuan Yuan Che swallowed hard, ultimately unable to resist. With a strained voice, he parted his lips and whispered softly, “Shu’er, I… want to kiss you.”